Thomas Canning has new owner

Golden Miles Foods from Mississauga recently purchased Thomas Canning, which had gone into receivership according to a document filed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in June. Richter Advisory Group was appointed as the receiver.

According to its website, Golden Miles makes cookies, crackers, and candy and has plans to expand operations into pasta making.

“We are sorry to see Thomas Canning go into receivership and close the doors,” Lakeshore Mayor and Essex County Warden Tom Bain said. “We are delighted that it’s (Thomas Canning) been picked up so quickly. It will allow our local farmers to continue to grow tomatoes.”

“I believe they are going to try and get it going this summer. A lot of details, I don’t know,” Bain said.
According to its website, Thomas Canning opened in 1933.

According to the Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website, the CFIA cancelled the registration of Thomas Canning due to the company ceasing operations in July.

In November of 2016, the certificate of Registration of Establishment for Thomas Canning was reinstated after it was suspended in October of that year when the CFIA determined the operator was in violation of the Processed Products Regulations. “The operator failed to make corrections to three non-compliances identified during an inspection performed in 2014,” it states on its website. There was no re-call associated with the suspension.

In 2014, the provincial government announced a $3 million grant to the canning company, which, in part, was to build a new plant, which did not happen.

In a July 21 media statement, Essex MPP Taras Natyshak said, “I am concerned for the local workers, producers and families affect by this change. Ontario agriculture producers have been hard hit in recent years and we need to do what we can to keep this vital part of our economy and our community healthy, and thriving including making sure employees and producers owed money by the current owners are paid what they’re owed.”

Golden Miles President Santosh Mahal, was at the Maidstone facility on South Talbot Road last week, but was not available for comment.